16 years since after its release, Nikon is recalling some F6 35mm SLR bodies

It’s easy to forget that Nikon still actually has a 35mm film SLR in its current lineup. That camera is the Nikon F6. Released in 2004, it was Nikon’s final flagship in their 35mm SLR lineup, so it’s no surprise that they haven’t quite been able to let it go just yet, despite the fact that their DSLRs are starting to be made obsolete by their new mirrorless releases.

Well, now, Nikon Japan has announced that they’re recalling some of their F6 bodies over excessive levels of dibutyl phthalate (DBP) contained within certain parts of the camera. These levels put it outside of the values set by the European Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive. Don’t worry, though, it only affects 152 F6 units.

DBP is a plasticizer used in the creation of certain plastics, like PVC. Its use in the EU has been restricted in some way or another since 1976, where it was banned from use in cosmetics. As of 1999, its use has also been restricted in teh production of children’s toys. Under recent revisions, it’s been limited for electrical and electronic devices, too.

Nikon has said that they’ll take care of the problem, though, and is offering to replace the product even if your warranty has already run out.

Recently, it was revealed that some products of the film single-lens reflex camera “F6” contain parts that may contain dibutyl phthalate (DBP), which exceeds the standard value set by the European RoHS Directive *. did. This was discovered during our research based on our product environmental standards.

European RoHS Directive (2011/65/EU + 2015/863/EU): A directive that restricts the use of specified hazardous substances in electric and electronic devices placed on the EU market. Since July 22, 2019, the use of DBP has been restricted for electric and electronic devices, and the standard value has been applied.

Regardless of the warranty period, we will take care of replacing the target product free of charge.

They also posted a very long list containing all 152 serial numbers, along with an image showing exactly where you can find it on the camera.

0035842, 0035862, 0035867, 0035868, 0035869, 0035870, 0035871, 0035872
0035873, 0035909, 0035910, 0035911, 0035912, 0035913, 0035914, 0035915
0035916, 0035917, 0035918, 0035919, 0035920, 0035921, 0035922, 0035923
0035924, 0035925, 0035926, 0035927, 0035928, 0035929, 0035930, 0035932
0035934, 0035941, 0035942, 0035943, 0035944, 0035945, 0035946, 0035947
0035948, 0035949, 0035950, 0035951, 0035952, 0035953, 0035954, 0035955
0035956, 0035957, 0035958, 0035959, 0035968, 0035969, 0035970, 0035971
0035972, 0035973, 0035974, 0035975, 0035976, 0035977, 0035978, 0035979
0035980, 0035981, 0035983, 0035984, 0035985, 0035986, 0035987, 0035989
0035990, 0035991, 0035992, 0036010, 0036011, 0036012, 0036013, 0036014
0036015, 0036016, 0036017, 0036018, 0036019, 0036020, 0036021, 0036022
0036023, 0036024, 0036025, 0036026, 0036027, 0036028, 0036029, 0036030
0036031, 0036032, 0036033, 0036034, 0036035, 0036036, 0036037, 0036038
0036039, 0036041, 0036042, 0036043, 0036045, 0036046, 0036047, 0036048
0036049, 0036050, 0036051, 0036052, 0036053, 0036056, 0036057, 0036058
0036062, 0036112, 0036114, 0036116, 0036130, 0036133, 0036134, 0036135
0036136, 0036137, 0036138, 0036139, 0036140, 0036141, 0036142, 0036147
0036149, 0036153, 0036154, 0036155, 0036156, 0036157, 0036158, 0036159
0036160, 0036161, 0036162, 0036165, 0036177, 0036188, 0036189, 0036191

If you’re an F6 owner and your serial number isn’t on the above list, then Nikon says you have nothing to worry about and can just carry on as normal.

The recall advisory suggests that all of these serial numbers were issued in Japan – although that makes me wonder why they’re so bothered about an EU directive – so should not affect owners much in other places, but with the number of Nikons sold on eBay by sellers in Japan, it’s possible they could’ve made their way elsewhere in the world.

If you discover that your serial number is on the list, though, you can find out more information about how to return your camera and get the issue resolved on the Nikon website.

[via NikonRumors]